In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew and Chris discuss the announcement of David Woodcock as the new SEC Enforcement Director, the proposed amendments to Form PF, and some notable enforcement actions. Then they are joined by Adam Huckle, a partner in Maples Group’s Regulatory & Financial Services and Dispute Resolution & Insolvency teams in the Cayman Islands. The guys discuss the critical role the Cayman Islands plays in the world of private funds, the fascinating history of the tax status of the Cayman Islands, and how Adam ended up with Chris and Andrew’s dream job. They finish by making their picks for the “Soccer” World Cup (which Adam couldn’t bring himself to say).

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew and Chris discuss another important Enforcement action involving a private fund adviser, the new SEC Enforcement Manual, and Enforcement Director Ryan’s first speech. Then they speak with Pete Driscoll, partner at PWC and former head of the Division of Examinations, to reflect on the evolution of Exams, discuss the SEC’s policymaking agenda, and analyze the importance of valuation in the retailization of private markets. The guys finish with a discussion of shows they’re watching, including a medical drama, a biographical romance anthology, and one of the few investment shows out there.   

In this Super Bowl edition of Asset Management Corner, Andrew and Chris discuss SEC Director Brian Daly's speech on AI, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton's interview at the recent Securities Docket conference, where he made news on prediction markets and corporate cooperation, and Andrew’s and Chris’s picks for the big game. They then catch up with friends and colleagues Robert Baker from ACA Group (and a former SEC leader) to discuss SEC exam prep, and Chris Scully from Weil to discuss filing deadlines.  

In this season two premiere episode of the Asset Management Corner podcast, Andrew Dean and Christopher Mulligan reconnect with former SEC colleague Michael Spratt, who is now a leader at the Investment Company Institute, to discuss the retailization of private funds, among other topics. Andrew and Chris also break down some Marketing Rule updates, including the infamous footnote 590, and this Commission’s little noticed take on so-called shadow trading. 

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan sit down with Scott Walker, the Chief Compliance Officer at Andreessen Horowitz (aka a16z) to discuss all things VC and crypto. Scott’s varied background, including as the SEC’s expert on digital assets and blockchain technology, gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of compliance and crypto. Andrew and Chris also discuss some recent changes to the SEC’s Wells process.

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan discuss how the SEC has hit the ground running after a record-breaking federal government shutdown. Andrew and Chris discuss what that means, and give their first take on the newly released priorities from the Division of Examinations. Later, Andrew Chizzik and Stephanie E. Srulowitz, Co-Heads of Weil’s Private Funds Practice, join them to talk the state of the fundraising environment, important considerations for new advisers, and the current state of secondaries, all with a compliance overlay.

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan discuss how the federal government shutdown impacts the SEC, even if it is short lived, and how we did not see the SEC bring the typical flurry of enforcement actions at the end of its fiscal year. Later, Tana Ryan, a partner in Weil’s Private Equity practice and the Managing Partner of Weil’s Los Angeles office, joins them to talk M&A dealmaking trends and give her perspectives on the regulatory environment.

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan are joined by Weil’s own Olivia Greer to discuss how advisers should be thinking about artificial intelligence. They take on all things AI, including the intersection of federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations; policies and procedures; recording keeping; SEC Enforcement and Examinations interest; and the connection to cybersecurity. Andrew and Chris also discuss two SEC enforcement matters involving large retail advisers, plus the first Marketing Rule case under this Commission.

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan are joined by Patrick Hayes, the podfather of securities compliance podcasts.  They discuss Patrick’s NSCP podcast; the SEC’s new Director of Enforcement and coming changes; a very active Division of Examinations; how SEC enforcement actions impact industry compliance and SEC examinations; and advisers’ focus on the retailization of private funds and artificial intelligence.

Featured guest:

Andrew and Chris offer timely, practical discussion on these developments, particularly for compliance officers, private funds, retail advisers, registered investment companies, financial professionals, investors, and anyone interested in financial regulation.

Future episodes will release monthly, or more frequently as hot developments warrant. Visit the Asset Management Corner homepage for an episode catalog.

In this episode of Asset Management Corner, Andrew Dean and Chris Mulligan are joined by Igor Rozenblit and Jennifer Duggins, senior compliance professionals and former examiners from the SEC’s Private Funds Unit. They explain the PFU’s role within the Division of Examinations at the SEC, and discuss hot topics of the day, including the retailization of private funds and compliance in the world of artificial intelligence. 

Then Andrew and Chris break down the SEC’s dismissal of a lawsuit involving the liquidity rule and what it means going forward, and put in perspective a recent story about private equity fund valuations. (NB, FinCEN announced its intention to postpone the effective date of the AML rule shortly after recording.)